I’m going to share one of my all-time favorite passages from Pride and Prejudice. Some context: Lizzy is excited about her upcoming tour of the Lakes with her aunt and uncle, but wishes her sister Jane could come along.

“But it is fortunate,” thought she, “that I have something to wish for. Were the whole arrangement complete, my disappointment would be certain. But here, by carrying with me one ceaseless source of regret in my sister’s absence, I may reasonably hope to have all my expectations of pleasure realized. A scheme of which every part promises delight, can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defense of some little peculiar vexation.”

I think about that passage whenever my perfect peace is ruined by “little peculiar vexations.” The vexations help me keep perspective, yanno? I just moved into a new home. I LOVE IT. But it’s not perfect, and right now, the little vexation that annoys me and kicks me into realizing how much I love everything *else* about my home is that my front room looks out onto a noisy street; in summer, with the windows open, my front room is not quiet.

Do you have a little peculiar vexation? Does it ward off disappointment? Or is it merely vexatious? :o)

Anyway. Before I go, here’s something that’ll take away all your vexations for 3 minutes, guaranteed. Well, maybe that’s not fair. I’ll just say this: it took away mine. (Thanks, Ranting Nerd, for the link!)

Happy Monday, all.